Today's World or Just That Time of the Year?

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Under normal circumstances it’s scramble time for a D3 without a “firm offer.” But COVID has made the situation worse. A kid scrambling for a place to play under any circumstances should be giving some serious thought to his baseball future. It doesn’t mean give up. But it’s time to look at the best educational opportunity and try to walk on. What makes a kid who is settling for a “chance” to play baseball when he’s not drawing interest to this point think he’s going to make the roster or get on the field?

If a D3 is scrambling ar this point he better get it real soon he has to get bigger, faster, stronger and better to have a legitimate walk on opportunity.

@Dadbelly2023 posted:

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Sorry. Just looking for more information and confirmation. I apologize if I have brought up topics such as this too many times.

Well said RJM.

Also, I think you'll see many D3 commits on social media in the next month as ED deadlines are typically Nov 1 or mid-Nov.   The recruits that are "in-play" are deciding right now.    Whether or not one should announce  their D3  commitment on social media without an Admission Letter/Likely Letter is another topic entirely.

“If you get accepted you’re on the team.”

This doesn’t mean you’re ever going to see the field. It means the D3 has an unlimited roster. Chances are baseball is being used as bait for the kid to apply. The coach is likely getting a bonus for attracting X number of “baseball players.”

D3 rosters are deeper then they have ever been right now, my son plays at solid competitive school, they are above 500 always in the mix for the league title but not really a threat to make any noise on a national level. They have 2 returning 5th year grad guys and have 1 kid transferring in this winter from a local D1. There is another potential D1 transfer coming but he hasn't made any commitment yet. These deals have been pretty much brokered by the kids from knowing each other over the years...this appears to be pretty standard from the what I have been hearing in my network of guys I have known over the years. Assuming we have season it will be quite interesting.

I agree that because D3s have unlimited rosters, when a student commits is fairly meaningless.  Some kids know they are D3 players and want to go to particular schools regardless of whether they get playing time.  Some kids are hoping for D1 and commit to a D3 later.  The ultra-selective D3s have Early Decision in play, but for the other 250 or so, committing happens whenever the student is ready.  Some kids have to see where they get in (which depends on application deadlines), or need to compare financial aid and merit scholarships.  It's all pretty individual.  So, maybe things are different because of COVID, but still no particular advantage for someone to commit early to a D3.

After pitching velocity, metrics matter very little. Exit velo is pretty much useless, IF velo can easily be juiced up by taking 12 steps across the diamond, pop is useful but only paints half the picture. You can be a fast runner, but be bad at running the 60 if you've never been coached to run in properly.

Fall ball is wrapping up now, especially if you live north of the Mason Dixon line. Ft. Myers and Jupiter are often the last hoorah for teams depending on the age. Exposure time is pretty much over, you either take what's in front of you or get left behind.